September 1, 2011

According to an Aug. 24 report from The Tuscaloosa News, Northport joined the city of Tuscaloosa in Sunday alcohol sales after voters approved the measure in an Aug. 23 special election. But Tuscaloosa County voters gave an overwhelming no to Sunday sales the same day.

Sixty-one percent of county voters opposed the proposal to sell alcohol between noon and 9:30 p.m. on Sundays, while approximately 55 percent of Northport voters approved the move.

Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), said, “We are disappointed that Northport voted to allow Sunday alcohol sales, but we rejoice that Tuscaloosa County voted down this measure.

“ALCAP tried to encourage the local legislators from Tuscaloosa County and Northport to stop this push by ‘big alcohol’ during the 2011 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature, but we were unsuccessful,” he said. But ALCAP remains available to work with local communities facing wet/dry referendums (visit www.alcap.com for more information).

Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon said he was surprised by the vote but pleased, and that he took a lot of flack for supporting Sunday sales but was standing up for the city’s businesses and future growth, according to The Tuscaloosa News.

The county’s decision to continue the ban came as no surprise to Probate Judge Hardy McCollum, the report stated.

The polling places at Carrolls Creek Baptist Church, Northport, (268–172) and Chapel Hill Baptist Church, Northport, (148–58) were among the strongest sets of “no” votes in the county. (TAB)